Information processing apparatus utilizing positioning satellites

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a first processor, a second processor and a positioning processor. The second processor consumes a reduced amount of power compared to the first processor during an operation. The positioning processor receives radio waves from positioning satellites and converts the radio waves into positioning data. The second processor controls the positioning processor. The second processor stores the positioning data received from the positioning processor. The second processor transfers the stored positioning data to the first processor at a timing determined in accordance with an operating condition of the first processor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-055267 filed on Mar. 22, 2017 theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatusutilizing positioning satellites.

2. Description of the Related Art

Information processing apparatuses including a display have been knownthat process various information items and cause the processedinformation items to appear on displays (for example, refer to JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-101505).

Many information processing apparatuses include satellite-radio-wavereception modules to receive radio waves from satellites, carry outpositioning operations to calculate the current position, and processthe results of the positioning for various purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention an informationprocessing apparatus includes:

a first processor;

a second processor consuming a reduced amount of power compared to thefirst processor during an operation; and

a positioning processor receiving radio waves from positioningsatellites and converting the radio waves into positioning data, wherein

the second processor controls the positioning processor, and

the second processor stores the positioning data received from thepositioning processor, and

the second processor transfers the stored positioning data to the firstprocessor at a timing determined in accordance with an operatingcondition of the first processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a smart watch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a front view of the smart watch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration ofthe smart watch.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a control process executed by a mainmicrocomputer for announcement of the state of the main microcomputer.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control process for a measurementcontrolling process executed by the main microcomputer.

FIG. 5 illustrates the area of generation and display of an output imagein the smart watch.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a control process for a displaycontrolling process to be invoked in the measurement controllingprocess.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control process for a positioningcontrol process executed by a subsidiary microcomputer.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a modification of the positioningcontrol process.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a time displaying process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A smart watch 100 exemplifying an information processing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention will now bedescribed.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front views of the smart watch 100 according to thisembodiment.

With reference to FIG. 1A, the smart watch 100 is an informationprocessing apparatus worn around an arm of a user and includes a body 1and a band 2. The body 1 of the smart watch 100 includes a frame 3, adisplay screen 4, and a push-button switch B1.

The frame 3 supports the display screen 4 such that the display screen 4is exposed from one face of the frame 3 and accommodates functionalcomponents involved in various operations described below.

The display screen 4 includes two stacked displays. With reference toFIG. 1B, a display screen 22 a of a second display 22 (see FIG. 2) isdisposed over a display screen 12 a of a first display 12 (see FIG. 2).FIG. 1A illustrates an image that appears on the first display 12 andpasses through the display screen 22 a of the second display 22.

A touch sensor or touch panel (not shown) is disposed on the upperportion of the second display 22 to receive user operations. Apush-button switch B1 is disposed on a side face of the frame 3 andreceives user operations, in addition to the touch sensor.

The first display 12 includes a color dot-matrix liquid-crystal displayscreen. The first display 12 switches among various displays associatedwith various functions in accordance with user input operations andvarious program operations or displays an array of these displays.

The second display 22 is, for example, a segmented bitonal liquidcrystal display and includes a screen that displays a simple imageindicating the time with power consumption lower than that of the firstdisplay 12. Alternatively, the display screen 22 a of the second display22 may be a memory-in-pixel (MIP) liquid crystal display screen or apolymer network (PN) liquid crystal display screen. A predeterminedvoltage applied to the display screen 22 a of the second display 22turns off the image display of the display screen 22 a and causes thedisplay screen 22 a to transmit the image of the first display 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration ofthe smart watch 100 according to this embodiment.

The smart watch 100 includes a main microcomputer 11 or first processor,a first display 12, an operation receiver 13, a wireless communicationcontroller 14, an external memory 15 or map-information memory unit, asubsidiary microcomputer 21 or second processor, a second display 22, ameasuring unit 23, a satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 orpositioning processor, a switch 25, and a power management IC (PMIC) 31.

The main microcomputer 11, which is a main processor, includes a mainCPU 111, a RAM 112, a memory 113, and a clock 114 (first clock). Themain microcomputer 11 is supplied with electrical power from a powersupply via the PMIC 31 and controls the operation of various components,including the first display 12, the operation receiver 13, the wirelesscommunication controller 14, and the external memory 15.

The main CPU ill carries out various calculation processes andcomprehensively controls the overall operation of the smart watch 100 ina normal operational state. The main CPU 111 receives the calculateddata from the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 and the measuringunit 23 via the subsidiary microcomputer 21 and carries out informationprocessing. The processing includes preparation of various display dataitems, calculation of values such as moving rate, moving acceleration,and moving direction, statistical processing of determining theintegration, average, and variation of the calculated values, andcalculation of various parameters, such as caloric consumption, derivedfrom the data items. The main CPU 111 may be paused automatically or inresponse to a predetermined input operation when the operation of themain CPU 111 is not required.

The RAM 112 provides a work memory space for the main CPU 111 and storestemporary data.

The memory 113 is a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, thatstores various control programs including various application programs(apps) and data items to be executed by the main CPU 111. The datastored in the memory 113 includes application programs using the resultsof the positioning acquired by the satellite-radio-wave receiving module24, and moving trajectory data or log data based on the results of thepositioning acquired by the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 inthe form of time series data in response to instructions by theapplication programs. Examples of the application programs include apositional-information acquisition application program and a navigationapplication program that routinely acquires the current position andoutdoor-activity logger application programs, such as an activitytracker application program, a running tracker application program, acycling tracker application program, and a climbing tracker applicationprogram.

The clock 114 counts the current date and time under the control of themain CPU 111. The clock 114 includes a counter and counts the time anddate in accordance with the operational clock frequency of the mainmicrocomputer 11 with a precision higher than that of the real timeclock (RTC) 214 described below.

The first display 12 displays an image mainly in response to a controloperation by the main microcomputer 11 (main CPU 111). The display isturned off while the main microcomputer 11 is in a dormant state.Alternatively, limited content may be displayed under the control of thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 (sub-CPU 211).

The operation receiver 13 includes the touch sensor mentioned above. Theoperation receiver 13 receives an input operation from an external unitor user, converts the input operation to an electrical signal, and sendsthis electrical signal to the main CPU 111. If the main CPU 111 is in astandby state when the touch sensor receives an input operation, theelectrical signal functions as an operation resume signal to resume theoperation of the main CPU 111.

The wireless communication controller 14 establishes wirelesscommunication with external electronic devices. The wirelesscommunication may be carried out in accordance with any standard, forexample, a close-range wireless communication standard, such asBluetooth (trademark), or a wireless LAN standard, such as IEEE 802.11.The main microcomputer 11 (main CPU 111) can acquire necessaryinformation, programs, and update data from external units via thewireless communication controller 14. Examples of external electronicdevices that establish wireless communication with the wirelesscommunication controller 14 include a smart phone, a mobile phone, atablet, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The external memory 15 is a large non-volatile storage unit storing mapdata referred to for navigation and map display. The external memory 15may be disposed in the smart watch 100. Alternatively, the externalmemory 15 may be a small detachable portable storage medium, such as aflash memory. The map data may be preliminarily provided on a storagemedium. Alternatively, via Wi-Fi, the map data may be preliminarilyupdated by the user or updated in response to a variation in the resultsof the positioning such that the updated map data can be deleted fromthe storage medium.

The subsidiary microcomputer 21 includes a sub-CPU 211 or secondprocessor, a RAM 212, a memory 213, a real time clock (RTC) 214 (secondclock), and a buffer memory 215 or temporary memory. The subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 is supplied with electrical power from a power sourcevia the PMIC 31 for operation. The subsidiary microcomputer 21 controlsthe operation of the second display 22, the measuring unit 23, and thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24, and the transmission andreception of data to and from the main microcomputer 11. The powerconsumption during normal operation and the maximum power consumption ofthe subsidiary microcomputer 21 are smaller than those of the mainmicrocomputer 11, respectively. Power consumption during normaloperation and the maximum power consumption of the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 may be based mainly on the thermal design power (TDP)of the CPU or the TDP in consideration of the influence of the size ofthe RAM and the number of RAMs provided. That is, the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 is a subsidiary processor for carrying out continuousoperations with relatively low power consumption.

The sub-CPU 211 carries out various calculation processes tocomprehensively control the operation of the subsidiary microcomputer21. The power consumption (TDP) of the sub-CPU 211 lower than that ofthe main CPU 111 allows the sub-CPU 211 to have lower performance thanthe main CPU 11. In principle, the sub-CPU 211 maintains a minimaloperation unless there is a shortage in power from the PMIC 31. If theminimal operation is periodically carried out at a predetermined timeinterval, the sub-CPU 211 may enter a standby state during periods otherthan the predetermined interval.

The RAM 212 provides a work memory area for the sub-CPU 211 and storestemporary data. The RAM 212 stores data while the PMIC 31 continues tofeed power even if the operation of the sub-CPU 211 is intermittent, asdescribed above.

The memory 213 is a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, thatstores various control programs including various application programsand data items to be executed by the sub-CPU 211. The programs 213 astored in the memory 213 includes control programs executed by thesubsidiary microcomputer 21, such as a program for controlling theoperation of the measuring unit 23 and a program for controlling thepositioning operation of the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24.The memory 213 stores firmware that is a program for operational controlby the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24.

The RTC 214 is a traditional RTC that counts time. The RTC 214 countstime with a precision lower than that of the clock 114 of the mainmicrocomputer 11 and power consumption lower than that of the clock 114.The RTC 214 constantly counts time even while the main microcomputer 11is turned off and the subsidiary microcomputer 21 is in a standby mode,as described above.

The buffer memory 215 is a volatile memory, such as a DRAM, thattemporarily stores the results of the positioning or positioning dataacquired by the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24. The results ofthe positioning acquired by the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 215 and then transferred tothe main microcomputer 11 at an appropriate timing.

The second display 22, which consumes reduced amounts of power comparedto the first display 12, as described above, displays time. If thedisplay screen includes an MIP liquid crystal screen, the second display22 can lower the update frequency of the displayed content under thecontrol of the sub-CPU 211.

The measuring unit 23 includes a sensor that measures physicalquantities indicating the kinetic state of the smart watch 100. Themeasuring unit 23 includes an acceleration sensor in this embodiment.The measuring unit 23 may further include a direction sensor orgeomagnetic sensor and/or a barometer or altimeter. The measuring unit23 further includes a tilt sensor that detects a predeterminedorientation of the smart watch 100. In this embodiment, the measuringunit 23 detects the tilt of the smart watch 100 when the smart watch 100is in a predetermined position, specifically, positioned such that thescreen of the smart watch 100 is in front of the eyes of the user forviewing by the user.

The satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 tracks, receives, anddemodulates radio waves from GNSS satellites, which are positioningsatellites of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), such as theGPS satellites of the global positioning system (GPS), to acquire timeand positional information. The satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24includes an antenna (not shown) and operates under the control of thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 (sub-CPU 211). The satellite-radio-wavereceiving module 24 receives radio waves in the L1 band (1.57542 GHz forGPS satellites) and subjects the radio waves to inverse spectraldiffusion to decipher navigational messages. The satellite-radio-wavereceiving module 24 carries out positioning on the basis of theresulting navigational messages. The acquired date, time, and currentposition are output in a predetermined format.

The satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 includes a memory 241 forstoring temporary data required for operation. The memory 241 is avolatile memory that stores an execution control program (firmware)required for a positioning operation, information on the format of thenavigational messages from the positioning satellites, and information(ephemeris and almanac data) on orbits from the positioning satellites.The memory 241 can continue operation even after shut-down of thereceiver of the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24. After restartof the operation of the memory 241, at least some of the informationitems including the firmware are retrieved from the memory 213 of thesubsidiary microcomputer 21. The satellite-radio-wave receiving module24 tracks radio waves from a predetermined number of the positioningsatellites required for positioning, acquires ephemeris data from thepositioning satellites, and constantly calculates the current positions.The current positions may be calculated at any time interval, forexample, at an interval of one second in this embodiment.

The switch 25 receives a predetermined user operation to restart themain microcomputer 11 when the main microcomputer 11 is in a dormantmode. The switch 25 may be a dedicated switch or integrated with thepush-button switch B1.

The PMIC 31 controls the power supply to the main microcomputer 11 andthe subsidiary microcomputer 21. The PMIC 31 includes, for example, aselector switch for switching whether or not power is supplied to themain microcomputer 11 and the subsidiary microcomputer 21 and a DC/DCconverter that adjusts the output voltage. The PMIC 31 feeds appropriateelectrical power to the main microcomputer 11 and the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 during operation.

The operational control of the smart watch 100 according to thisembodiment will now be described.

As described above, the smart watch 100 includes the main microcomputer11 that controls the display operation of the first display 12 andcarries out information processing, and the subsidiary microcomputer 21that controls operation of the second display 22, the measuring unit 23,and the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24. The display operationof the first display 12 can be turned off when display is unnecessary.While the first display 12 is turned off, the second display 22 displaysat least the current time (hour and minute).

The main microcomputer 11 can switch between an operational mode and adormant mode by turning on and off the main CPU 111. In the dormantmode, the first display 12 is turned off when the main CPU 111 is shutdown. The dormant mode may be a standby mode in which the RAM 112continues to store information and the main microcomputer 11 quicklyresumes normal operation when the main CPU 111 restarts. Alternatively,the dormant mode may be a shut-down mode in which the RAM 112 iscompletely shut down, or a sleep mode in which the information stored inthe RAM 112 is transferred to the memory 113 and the RAM 112 istemporarily shut down. The dormant mode of the main microcomputer 11 maybe a shut-down and/or a sleep mode, besides the standby mode. Even whilethe main microcomputer 11 is in the dormant mode, the main microcomputer11 temporarily resumes operation at a predetermined maintenanceoperation interval, for example, every 10 minutes, to execute apredetermined process or maintenance operation.

The main microcomputer 11 maybe restarted at any time. For example, inthis embodiment, the main microcomputer 11 automatically restarts upondetection of a contact operation of the touch sensor of the operationreceiver 13 or restarts in response to a start-up signal from thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 sent when the tilt sensor of the measuringunit 23 detects the tilt described above.

The subsidiary microcomputer 21 (sub-CPU 211) acquires information onthe on/off state of the main CPU 111 and the first display 12 as needed,and carries out operational control in accordance with the operationalstate of the main CPU 111 and the first display 12.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a control process executed by themain CPU ill of the main microcomputer 11 for announcement of the stateof the main microcomputer 11.

The control process for announcement of the state of the mainmicrocomputer 11 continues from start or restart of the main CPU 111 toshut-down of the main CPU 111. After start of the control process forannouncement of the state of the main microcomputer 11, the main CPU 111sends a notification of the ON state of the main CPU 111 to thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 (step S101).

The main CPU ill determines whether the display operation of the firstdisplay 12 is turned on (step S102). If the first display 12 is turnedon (“YES” in step S102), the main CPU 111 notifies the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 about the ON state of the first display 12 (step S103).The process then goes to step S104. If the first display 12 is notturned on (“NO” in step S102), the process goes to step S104.

In step S104, the main CPU 111 determines whether the display operationof the first display 12 is turned off (step S104). If the first display12 is turned off (“YES” in step S104), the main CPU 111 notifies thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 about the OFF state of the first display 12(step S105). The process then goes to step S106. If the first display 12is not turned off (“NO” in step S104), the process goes to step S106.

In step S106, the main CPU 111 determines whether to shut down the mainCPU 111 (step S106). If the main CPU 111 is not to be shut down (“NO” instep S106), the process goes to step S102. If the main CPU 111 is to beshut down (“YES” in step 8106), the main CPU 111 notifies the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 about shut down of the main CPU 111 (step S107). Themain CPU 111 then ends the control process for announcement of the stateof the main microcomputer 11.

The positioning operation of the smart watch 100 according to thisembodiment will now be explained.

In the smart watch 100, the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24constantly carries out positioning operations at a predetermined timeinterval in response to a request from a positional-informationacquisition application program resident in the main microcomputer 11,to record the history of the moving of the current positions or themoving trajectory. The recorded moving trajectory can be displayed on amap on the first display 12. The moving history is acquired throughconstant positioning operations in response to a request for start ofpositioning sent from the main microcomputer 11 to the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21, regardless of the operating conditions of the mainmicrocomputer 11, i.e., the operational/dormant mode, the on/off stateof the display operation of the first display 12, the on/off state ofdisplay of a position by the positional-information acquisitionapplication program during the display operation, and the on/off stateof concurrent operation of other application programs by the mainmicrocomputer 11.

The results of the positioning by the satellite-radio-wave receivingmodule 24 are sent to the subsidiary microcomputer 21 and temporarilystored in the buffer memory 215. The temporarily stored results of thepositioning are transferred to the main microcomputer 11 at anappropriate timing determined in accordance with the operatingconditions of the main microcomputer 11, such as whether the result istransferrable or the frequency of transfer if the result can betransferred. The results are then processed and displayed at the mainmicrocomputer 11.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a control process executed by themain CPU 111 for a measurement controlling process executed by the mainmicrocomputer 11 of the smart watch 100 according to this embodiment.The measurement controlling process starts upon reception of an explicitinstruction for starting operation to the operation receiver 13 and atthe initial start-up of the main CPU 111 unless the resident setting ofthe relevant application program is cancelled. During shut-down of themain CPU 111, the measurement controlling process is interrupted afterparameters are stored and the subsidiary microcomputer 21 continues tocarry out operational control. When the main CPU 111 restarts, themeasurement controlling process is resumed.

After start of the measurement controlling process, the main CPU 111determines whether parameters are stored in the RAM 112 (step S121).These parameters are those stored before shut-down of the main CPU 111.If such parameters are stored, they are used in the measurementcontrolling process. If parameters are stored (“YES” in step S121), theprocess goes to step S123. If parameters are not stored (“NO” in stepS121), the main CPU 111 reads and establishes initial parameters fromthe memory 113 (step S122). The initial parameters include aninstruction for starting positioning. The process then goes to stepS123.

In step S123, the main CPU 111 determines whether the instruction forstarting positioning is received (step S123). If the instruction isreceived (“YES” in step S123), the main CPU 111 sends a request forstarting positioning to the subsidiary microcomputer 21 (step S124). Theprocess then goes to step S125. If the instruction is not received or ifthe positioning operation is already carried out (“NO” in step S123),the process goes to step S125.

In step S125, the main CPU 111 determines whether an instruction forending positioning is received (step S125). The instruction for endingpositioning does not end the measurement controlling process, which isunder the control of a resident application program, and only causes atemporary shut-down, such as in an airplane mode selected when boardingan airplane. If the instruction for ending positioning is received(“YES” in step S125), the main CPU 111 sends a request for endingpositioning to the subsidiary microcomputer 21 (step S126). The processthen goes to step S127. If the instruction for ending positioning is notreceived or if the positioning operation is already ended (“NO” in stepS125), the process goes to step S127.

In step S127, the main CPU ill determines whether an instruction forending the resident application program involving measurement control isreceived (step S127). If the instruction for ending the applicationprogram is received (“YES” in step S127), the main CPU 111 sends arequest for ending positioning to the subsidiary microcomputer 21 (stepS128). The main CPU 111 carries out the process of ending theapplication program (step S129). This process includes acquisition ofthe positional information remaining in the buffer memory 215 of thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 and carrying out necessary processing. Themain CPU 111 then ends the measurement controlling process.

If the instruction for ending the application program is not received(“NO” in step S127), the main CPU 111 determines whether an instructionfor shutting down the main CPU 111 or an instruction for entering adormant or standby mode is received (step S130). If the instruction forshutting down the main CPU 111 is received (“YES” in step S130), themain CPU 111 carries out a process that causes the main microcomputer 11to enter the standby mode (step S131). This process terminatestransmission of data to and from the subsidiary microcomputer 21 andterminates the processing of positioning data by the main microcomputer11. The main CPU 111 then ends the measurement controlling process.

If the instruction for shutting down the main CPU 111 is not detected(“NO” in step S130), the main CPU 111 checks for input of positioningdata to the subsidiary microcomputer 21 (step S132). If the data isinput (“YES” in step S132), the main CPU 111 invokes the displaycontrolling process described below (step S133). The process then goesto step S123. If the positioning data is not input (“NO” in step S132),the process goes to step S123.

Display of the current positional information on the first display 12will now be explained.

When the first display 12 of the smart watch 100 according to thisembodiment is on, the first display 12 can display a map image of anarea including the recent current position overlapped with a movinghistory of the positions in the map image.

FIG. 5 illustrates the area of generation and display of an output imagein the smart watch 100.

The smart watch 100 generates display image data on a map image and atrajectory image overlaid thereon every time the recent current positionis acquired. The map image appears in an image formation area Mf thatcontains a central area Mc containing the recent current position P,where the image formation area Mf is larger than the central area Mc.The trajectory image illustrates a trajectory L of the moving currentposition from the origin P0 of the positioning to the recent currentposition P. The map data for generation of the map image is retrievedfrom the external memory 15. In the actual display process, a displayarea Md with the recent current position P in the center is determined,an image having the display area Md is trimmed from the generated imagedata, and the trimmed image is displayed on the screen.

In detail, the image formation area Mf is not updated while the recentcurrent position P resides in the central area Mc, and the display areaMd is modified every time the recent current position P moves. Thedisplay area Md is positioned such that the top always corresponds tonorth. Alternatively, the top of the display area Md may alwayscorrespond to the traveling direction. The central area Mc and thedisplay area Md may have different sizes. To update the image formationarea Mf, the map data within the image formation area Mf is used with nomodification, and map data to be newly incorporated into the imageformation area Mf is newly retrieved from the external memory 15 and issubstituted for the map data deviated from the image formation area Mf.

The image of the trajectory L may include lines connecting the points.Alternatively, the image may include only the points. In the case wherethe moving rate is high or no information other than the currentposition is required, the display area Md may include only the recentcurrent position P. The recent current position P may be indicated by anarrow representing the traveling direction from the previouslycalculated current positions. Alternatively, the recent current positionP may be indicated by a simple mark.

The trajectory image on the map image appearing on the screen of thesmart watch 100 can be temporarily hidden. Thus, the smart watch 100 mayseparately generate the map image and the trajectory image and overlaythe trajectory image on the map image, or may prepare both image data ona map image including the trajectory and image data on a map image notincluding the trajectory and switch to the display of the map imagecorresponding to the input operation at the operation receiver 13.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a control process for a displaycontrolling process executed by the main CPU 111 and to be invoked inthe measurement controlling process.

After invocation of the display controlling process, the main CPU 111updates the positional information (trajectory data and data on therecent current position) on the basis of the observed positioning data(step S171). The main CPU 111 checks for generation of image data fordisplay (step S172). If no image data is generated, for example, in theinitial display controlling process (“NO” in step S172), the processgoes to step S174.

If image data is generated (“YES” in step S172), the main CPU 111determines whether the recent current position P resides in the centralarea Mc (step S173). If the recent current position P resides in thecentral area Mc (“YES” in step S173), the process goes to step S175. Ifthe recent current position P does not reside in the central area Mc(“NO” in step S173), the process goes to step S174.

In step S174, the main CPU 111 retrieves the map data on the imageformation area Mf centered on the recent current position P from theexternal memory 15 (step S174). The process then goes to step S175.

In step S175, the main CPU 111 generates the map image data on the imageformation area Mf and the image data on the trajectory L in the imageformation area Mf such that trajectory L can be overlaid on the mapimage (step S175). The main CPU 111 determines whether the displayoperation of the first display 12 is turned off or whether no map imageappears on the first display 12 (step S176). In either case (“YES” instep S176), the main CPU 111 ends the display controlling process andresumes the measurement controlling process.

If the first display 12 is not turned off, i.e., turned on, and a mapimage appears on the display screen 12 a (“NO” in step S176), the mainCPU 111 determines whether the trajectory is to be displayed (stepS177). If the trajectory is to be displayed (“YES” in step S177), themain CPU 111 causes an overlaid image of the map image data and thetrajectory image data to appear in the display area Md on the displayscreen 12 a of the first display 12 (step S178). The main CPU 111 thenends the display controlling process and resumes the measurementcontrolling process.

If the trajectory is not to be displayed (“NO” in step S177), the mainCPU 111 causes the map image data to appear in the display area Md onthe display screen 12 a of the first display 12 (step S179). The mainCPU 111 then ends the display controlling process and resumes themeasurement controlling process.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control process executed by thesub-CPU 211 for a positioning control process executed by the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 of the smart watch 100 according to this embodiment.The positioning control process is constantly carried out after thestart-up of the subsidiary microcomputer 21 in a normal state.

After start of the positioning control process, the sub-CPU 211determines whether the subsidiary microcomputer 21 has received arequest for starting positioning from the main microcomputer 11 (mainCPU 111) (step S201). If the subsidiary microcomputer 21 has receivedthe request (“YES” in step S201), the sub-CPU 211 sends an instructionfor start of positioning to the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24(step S202). The sub-CPU 211 starts a process of sequentially storingthe results of the positioning from the satellite-radio-wave receivingmodule 24 in the buffer memory 215 (step S203) (temporary storage step,temporarily storage means). The sub-CPU 211 sets a first time intervalto one second for transferring the results of the positioning stored inthe buffer memory 215 to the main microcomputer 11. In specific, theresults of the positioning acquired at an interval of one second aretransferred to the main microcomputer 11 at substantially real time(step S204).

The sub-CPU 211 determines whether the main CPU 111 is shut down orwhether the main microcomputer 11 enters the dormant mode (standby mode)(step S205). If the main CPU 111 is shut down (“YES” in step S205), thesub-CPU 211 stops the transfer of the results of the positioning to themain microcomputer 11 (step S206). The process then goes to step S207.If the main CPU 111 is not shut down (if the operation of the main CPU111 continues or if the main CPU 111 is already shut down) (“NO” in stepS205), the process goes to step S207.

In the step S207, the sub-CPU 211 determines whether the main CPU 111 isrestarted or the main microcomputer 11 is in an operational state (stepS207). If the main CPU 111 is restarted (“YES” in step S207), thesub-CPU 211 transfers the data on the results of the positioning (bufferdata) accumulated in the buffer memory 215 to the main microcomputer 11(step S208). The process then goes to step S209. If the main CPU 111 isnot restarted (if the main CPU 111 is in an operational mode orcontinues to be in the dormant mode) (“NO” in step S207), the processgoes to step S209.

In step S209, the sub-CPU 211 checks for the “OFF” state of the displayoperation of the first display 12 (step S209). If the display operationof the first display 12 is turned off (“YES” in step S209), the sub-CPU211 sets a second time interval to three seconds (which is longer thanthe first time interval) for the data transfer on the results of thepositioning to the main microcomputer 11 (step S210). The process thengoes to step S201. If the first display 12 is not turned off, i.e.,turned on (“NO” in step S209), the sub-CPU 211 sets a time interval toone second for transferring the data on the results of the positioningto the main microcomputer 11 (step S211). The process then goes to stepS201.

In step S201, if no request for starting positioning is received by thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 (“NO” in step S201), the sub-CPU 211determines whether the subsidiary microcomputer 21 has received arequest for ending positioning (step S222). If the request for endingpositioning is received by the subsidiary microcomputer 21 (“YES” instep S222), the sub-CPU 211 sends an instruction for ending thepositioning to the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 (step S233).The sub-CPU 211 transfers all data items on the results of thepositioning remaining in the buffer memory 215 to the main microcomputer11 (step S234). The process then goes to step S201.

In step S222, if no request for ending positioning is received (“NO” instep S222), the sub-CPU 211 determines whether positioning is currentlybeing carried out (step S223). If positioning is currently being carriedout (“YES” in step S223), the process goes to step S205. If positioningis not currently being carried out (“NO” in step S223), the process goesto step S201.

Steps S204 to S211 correspond to the step of data transfer and the datatransferring means in the method of processing information and theprogram according to this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a modification of the positioningcontrol process executed by the subsidiary microcomputer 21 of the smartwatch 100 according to this embodiment.

The positioning control process according to this modification isidentical to the positioning control process according to the embodimentdescribed above, except that the process according to the modificationfurther includes step S215 and S216. The steps corresponding to the sameprocesses are indicated by the same reference signs, without redundantdescriptions.

In the positioning control process according to this modification, thefrequency or time interval of transferring the result of the positioningto the main microcomputer 11 is modified on the basis of the results ofthe measurements of the kinetic state of the smart watch 100 by themeasuring unit 23.

In step S209, if the display operation of the first display 12 is turnedoff (“YES” in step S209), the sub-CPU 211 acquires observed values ofthe kinetic state from the measuring unit 23 and checks for detection ofmotion equal to or exceeding a predetermined standard (step S215). Ifsuch motion is detected (“YES” in step S215), the sub-CPU 211 sets theinterval to three seconds for transfer of the results of the positioningto the main microcomputer 11 (step S210). The process then goes to stepS201. If such motion is not detected (“NO” in step S215), the sub-CPU211 sets the interval to 10 seconds for transfer of the results of thepositioning to the main microcomputer 11 (step S216). The process thengoes to step S201.

The time displaying process executed by the sub-CPU 211 of thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 of the smart watch 100 will now be explainedwith reference to FIG. 9. The time displaying process is executed by thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 to display and correct time. In the smartwatch 100, for example, turning on the power triggers the sub-CPU 211 toexecute the time displaying process in cooperation with a timedisplaying program read from the memory 213 and appropriately deployedto the RAM 212. The subsidiary microcomputer 21 of the smart watch 100according to this embodiment does not shut down after start-up unlessthe power is disconnected or the battery runs out.

The sub-CPU 211 carries out the start-up process of the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 (step S271). The sub-CPU 211 checks for input of arequest for turning on the second display 22 from the main CPU 111 (stepS272). If the request is input (“YES” in step S272), the sub-CPU 211instructs the second display 22 to display the time counted by the RTC214 (step S273). In step S273, the time displayed on the display screen22 a as illustrated in FIG. 1B is updated every second on the basis ofthe time counted by the RTC 214.

If the request is not input (“NO” in step S272) or after step S273, thesub-CPU 211 checks for input of a request for information on the timecounted by the RTC 214 from the main CPU 111 (step S274). If the requestfor information on time is input (“YES” in step S274), the sub-CPU 211acquires the current temporal information from the RTC 214 and sends itto the main CPU 111 (step S275).

If the request for information on time is not input (“NO” instep S274)or after step S275, the sub-CPU 211 checks for input of a request forturning off the second display 22 by the main CPU 111 (step S276). Ifthe request for turning off the second display 22 is input (“YES” instep S276), the sub-CPU 211 turns off the display operation of thesecond display 22 such that the second display 22 becomes transparent(step S277).

If the request for turning off the second display 22 is not input (“NO”in step S276) or after step S277, the sub-CPU 211 determines whether theswitch 25 is pressed (step S278). If the switch 25 is pressed (“YES” instep S278), the sub-CPU 211 starts the main microcomputer 11 (stepS279).

If the switch 25 is not pressed (“NO” in step S278) or after step S279,the sub-CPU 211 determines whether the main microcomputer 11 is in thedormant mode (the first display 12 is turned off) and whether it is thetiming to correct the current time, in reference to the current timecounted by the RTC 214 (step S280). For example, the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 acquires temporal information from thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 at a predetermined timeinterval, for example, once a day, and corrects the time. The timing ofcorrecting time in step S280 is a predetermined amount of time after theprevious correction of the time.

If the main microcomputer 11 is not in the dormant mode or if it is notthe timing of correcting the time (“NO” in step S280), the process goesto step S272. If the main microcomputer 11 is in the dormant mode and ifit is the timing of correcting the time (“YES” in step S280), thesub-CPU 211 starts the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 (stepS281). The sub-CPU 211 reads firmware for the operation of thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 from the memory 213, transfersthe firmware to the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24, and loadsthe firmware to the memory 241 (step S282). After the firmware is loadedto the memory 241, the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 canreceive radio waves from the GNSS satellites, acquire the temporalinformation, and generate positioning information, under the control ofthe firmware loaded to the memory 241.

The sub-CPU 211 acquires the current temporal information from thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 (step S283). The GNSSsatellites are provided with clocks having high precision. The radiowaves from the GNSS satellites contain information on the time countedby these clocks. In other words, the information on the time from thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 has a precision higher thanthat of the time counted by the RTC 214.

The sub-CPU 211 corrects the time of the RTC 214 with reference to thetemporal information acquired in step S283 (step S284). The sub-CPU 211turns off the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 (step S285). Theprocess then goes to step S272.

As described above, the smart watch 100 includes a main microcomputer11, a subsidiary microcomputer 21 that consumes reduced amounts of powercompared to the main microcomputer 11 during operation, and asatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 that receives radio waves frompositioning satellites and converting the radio waves into positionalinformation. The operation of the satellite-radio-wave receiving module24 is controlled by the subsidiary microcomputer 21. The subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 temporarily stores the positioning data acquired by thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 in the buffer memory 215 andtransfers the positioning data temporarily stored in the buffer memory215 to the main microcomputer 11 at a predetermined timing determined inaccordance with the operating conditions of the main microcomputer 11.

In this way, the subsidiary microcomputer 21 can maintain and control aconstant positioning operation by the satellite-radio-wave receivingmodule 24 while consuming a reduced amount of power, to acquire data.The acquired data can be transferred to the main microcomputer 11 thatcarries out the actual data processing at an appropriate timing inaccordance with the operating conditions of the main microcomputer 11.This can reduce the power consumption during operations other than thoseconsuming increased amounts of power, such as information processing anddisplay operations. Thus, the positioning operation can be controlledmore efficiently.

The main microcomputer 11 can switch between the operational mode andthe dormant mode (standby mode). In the dormant mode, the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 stores positioning data in the buffer memory 215 andtransfers the stored positioning data to the main microcomputer 11 afterthe main microcomputer 11 enters the operational mode.

The main microcomputer 11 is in the dormant mode while no particularprocessing is carried out other than positioning, and the results of thepositioning are temporarily stored in the subsidiary microcomputer 21.Thus, the power consumption of the main microcomputer 11 can besignificantly reduced, and the results of the positioning can becertainly acquired under such reduced power consumption.

In the dormant mode, the main microcomputer 11 temporarily enters theoperational mode at a predetermined maintenance operation interval andcarries out predetermined processing. The subsidiary microcomputer 21transfers the positioning data while the main microcomputer 11 is in theoperational mode.

In this way, the results of the positioning are transferred to the mainmicrocomputer 11 in accordance with the intermittent operation of themain microcomputer 11 required for maintenance of the operation of thesmart watch 100. Thus, the operation of the main microcomputer 11 is notrestarted at an unnecessarily high frequency. Moreover, a large buffermemory 215 is not required in anticipation of delayed transfer of theresults, and data can be transferred in a short time because long-termaccumulation of data is prevented. Thus, operational efficiency can beenhanced without a reduction in usability for users.

The smart watch 100 includes a first display 12. While the first display12 displays images under the control of the main microcomputer 11, thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 transfers the positioning data to the mainmicrocomputer 11 at a first time interval of one second. While the firstdisplay 12 displays no images under the control of the mainmicrocomputer 11, the subsidiary microcomputer 21 transfers thepositioning data to the main microcomputer 11 at a second time intervalof three seconds, which is longer than the first time interval.

The main microcomputer 11 is not urged to process the results of thepositioning at real time while the results of the positioning are notdisplayed. Thus, multiple data items can be transferred in batches at alonger interval to increase the operational efficiency without areduction in usability for users.

The first display 12 does not display images while the mainmicrocomputer 11 is in the dormant mode. This enables ready checking fordisplay on the results of the positioning. The first display 12, whichdisplays various images, can be turned off together with thesophisticated main microcomputer 11 to achieve the stable operation ofthe subsidiary microcomputer 21 and a reduction in power consumption.

The smart watch 100 includes an external memory 15 that stores map data.The main microcomputer 11 generates image data for displaying a mapincluding at least the recent current position P determined on the basisof the positioning data and at least the recent current position P onthe map, in reference to the positioning data and the map data.

The main microcomputer 11 generates images of the current position andthe trajectory as needed, with reference to the map data independentlyprovided. In the smart watch 100, the sophisticated main microcomputer11 intermittently operates to carry out such image generation for asufficient term, and the subsidiary microcomputer 21, which consumes areduced amount of power, acquires the results of the positioning. Thisdisperses the load and enhances the processing efficiency. When mapgeneration and display are not required, the main microcomputer 11 canbe shut down to readily reduce the power consumption.

The main microcomputer 11 causes the map including at least the recentcurrent position P to appear on the first display 12, based on the imagedata generated for display.

Similarly, the sophisticated main microcomputer 11 of the smart watch100 controls the display of the map and can readily display ahigh-resolution map the user can readily view when necessary. If suchdisplay is not necessary, the subsidiary microcomputer 21 may solelycontrol the positioning operation to significantly reduce the powerconsumption of the main microcomputer 11.

The main microcomputer 11 causes a map and a mark indicating the recentcurrent position P disposed at a fixed position to appear on the firstdisplay 12.

As described above, the smart watch 100 sequentially updates at realtime images having the current position P disposed at the centerappearing on the first display 12 under the control of the mainmicrocomputer 11, based on the results of the positioning, if thedisplay of the images is required. This enhances usability for theusers.

The main microcomputer 11 causes at least the recent current position Pto be overlapped or not on the map.

The current position can appropriately appear or disappear under thecontrol of the main microcomputer 11. This allows the main microcomputer11 to carry out processing that has a load greater than that of merecontrol of the positioning operation. Thus, necessary information can beappropriately provided to the user without an excessive increase in thepower consumption of the main microcomputer 11.

The smart watch 100 includes a measuring unit 23 that measures thekinetic state of the smart watch 100. The subsidiary microcomputer 21modifies the second time interval on the basis of the results ofmeasurements by the measuring unit 23.

The positioning operation by such an information processing apparatus isusually carried out while the user carrying the information processingapparatus is moving. While the user is not moving, the need is low forthe acquisition, processing, and display of the recent current positionat real time. Thus, the processing frequency can be reduced byincreasing the interval of data transfer while the user is not moving,to increase the power efficiency without reducing usability for theuser. A prompt detection of the kinetic state relative to the operationof the first display 12 enables ready acquisition of data immediatelybefore the actual display of the data. This enhances usability for theuser. The arm motion of the user is detected before the smart watch 100reaches a specific orientation that is detected by the tilt sensor.Thus, transmission and processing of the results of the positioning canstart slightly before the user views the smart watch 100.

According to this embodiment, the smart watch 100 includes a clock 114that counts time (time and date, or at least a value related to time);an RTC 214 that counts time with a precision lower than that of theclock 114; a satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 that receivesradio waves from positioning satellites and acquires temporalinformation having a precision higher than that of the RTC 214; and asub-CPU 211 that controls the satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24.The sub-CPU 211 acquires temporal information from thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 and corrects the time of theRTC 214, in reference to the temporal information. Thus, the time to bedisplayed can be appropriately acquired from either the clock 114 or theRTC 214, and the precision of time counted by the RTC 214 can beincreased.

The smart watch 100 further includes a main microcomputer 11, and asubsidiary microcomputer 21 that operates by consuming an amount ofpower smaller than that of the main microcomputer 11. The clock 114 isprovided in the main microcomputer 11, and the RTC 214 is provided inthe subsidiary microcomputer 21. Thus, the precision of time countingcan be increased while the subsidiary microcomputer 21 is operating in astate of low power consumption.

The embodiment described above includes a main microcomputer 11; asubsidiary microcomputer 21 consumes reduced amounts of power comparedto the main microcomputer 11 during operation; and asatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 that receives radio waves frompositioning satellites converting the radio waves into positionalinformation. The satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24 operates underthe control of the subsidiary microcomputer 21 that carries out a methodof processing information in an information processing apparatus orsmart watch 100 controlled by the subsidiary microcomputer 21. Themethod involves temporarily storing positioning data sent from thesatellite-radio-wave receiving module 24; and transferring thetemporarily stored positioning data to the main microcomputer 11 at apredetermined timing determined in accordance with the operatingconditions of the main microcomputer 11.

In this way, a constant positioning operation is maintained andcontrolled by the subsidiary microcomputer 21 operating with low powerconsumption, and data can be promptly transferred to the mainmicrocomputer 11 at an appropriate timing only when the processing anddisplay of the results of the positioning are required. This furtherenhances the efficiency of the control operations involved in thepositioning operation.

The programs 213 a according to this embodiment causes the subsidiarymicrocomputer 21 of the smart watch 100 to function as a temporarystorage means that temporarily stores the positioning data acquired bythe satellite-radio-wave receiving module 24, and a data transfer meansthat transfers the temporarily stored positioning data to the mainmicrocomputer 11 at a predetermined timing in accordance with theoperating conditions of the main microcomputer 11.

The smart watch 100 includes the main microcomputer 11 and thesubsidiary microcomputer 21, as described above. The subsidiarymicrocomputer 21, which has low power consumption, maintains theacquisition of the results of the positioning under the control ofsoftware and transfers the data to the sophisticated main microcomputer11 in accordance with the use of the results of the positioning, toincrease the processing rate of the main microcomputer 11. This canenhance the efficiency of control operations involved in the positioningoperation.

The present invention should not be limited to the embodiments describedabove and may include various modifications.

For example, in the embodiments described above, the operatingconditions of the main microcomputer 11 are controlled with reference tothe operational/dormant mode, the on/off state of the display operationof the first display 12, the on/off state of display of a position bythe positional-information acquisition application program during thedisplay operation, and the on/off state of concurrent operation of otherapplication programs by the main microcomputer 11. Alternatively, thecontrol may be carried out in consideration of any other factor. Forexample, the control may be based on the usage rate of the main CPU 111and/or the size of the free memory in the RAM 112, instead of individualoperations.

In addition to adjustment of the interval of the operational state, themain microcomputer 11 may be controlled to execute the high-loadprocessing during periods other than the high-load periods that mayoccur due to processing of other application programs.

In the embodiment described above, the first display 12 displays a map.The first display 12 may also display tables of numeric values of thetraveling distance and time, for example. These values and the map maybe simultaneously displayed.

In the embodiment described above, the subsidiary microcomputer 21transfers the accumulated results of the positioning in a batch afterthe main microcomputer 11 resumes operation from the dormant mode.Alternatively, a predetermined volume of data may be transferred at apredetermined interval after resumption of the main microcomputer 11.

In the embodiment described above, the results of the positioning storedin the buffer memory 215 are transferred in response to the temporalrestart of the main microcomputer 11 every 10 minutes. In the case of noperiodical restart, the subsidiary microcomputer 21 may cause the mainmicrocomputer 11 to periodically operate for transfer of the results ofthe positioning such that the results of the positioning do not exceedthe capacity of buffer memory 215.

In the embodiment described above, the transfer interval of the resultsof the positioning is varied based on only the on/off state of the firstdisplay 12. Alternatively, the transfer interval may be varied based onany other condition, for example, the on/off state of real-time displayof the results of the positioning or the update frequency of the resultsof the positioning that is determined in response to an input operation.In the embodiment described above, the transfer interval of the resultsof the positioning are one or three seconds. This is a mere example, andthe transfer interval may be determined on any other condition, forexample, the precision of the positioning. The precision of thepositioning maybe varied in response to an input operation by the user.The transfer interval may also vary in accordance with the variation inthe precision of the positioning.

In the embodiment described above, the map data is retrieved from theexternal memory 15. Alternatively, the map data may be retrieved from anexternal server via the wireless communication controller 14. The mapdata may have any format. The main microcomputer 11 (main CPU 111)converts the format of the map data to a format displayable on thescreen, for example, pixmap data. In the embodiment described above, theon/off state of the display of the current position is switched.Alternatively, the current position may be constantly displayed on themap during the positioning by an application program, if required by thespecification of the application program.

In the embodiment described above, the subsidiary microcomputer 21controls the measuring unit 23 to vary the transfer interval of theresults of the positioning on the basis of the results of themeasurement by the measuring unit 23. Alternatively, the mainmicrocomputer 11 may control the measuring unit 23 and notify thesubsidiary microcomputer 21 of the results of the measurement and thetransfer interval determined in accordance with the results of themeasurement.

In the embodiment described above, the kinetic state of the smart watch100 is measured by the measuring unit 23 while the first display 12 isturned off, and the transfer interval is expanded if a motion equal toor exceeding a predetermined standard is undetected. Alternatively, thekinetic state of the smart watch 100 may be measured by the measuringunit 23 while the first display 12 is turned on, and the transferinterval may be narrowed if a motion equal to or exceeding apredetermined standard is detected.

As described above, the computer readable medium storing the programs213 a for the positioning control process involved in the processingcarried out by the sub-CPU 211 according to the present invention isexemplified by the memory 213 including a non-volatile memory.Alternatively, any computer readable medium may be used. Examples ofother computer readable media include portable recording media, such asa hard disk drive (HDD) a CD-ROM, and a DVD disk. Carrier waves may alsobe applied to the present invention as a medium that provides data ofthe program according to the present invention via a communication line.

The detailed configuration and structure of the components of theembodiments described above may be appropriately modified withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments described above should not be construed to limit thepresent invention, and the claims and other equivalents thereof areincluded in the scope of the invention.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first processor; asecond processor consuming a reduced amount of power compared to thefirst processor during an operation; and a positioning processorreceiving radio waves from positioning satellites and converting theradio waves into positioning data, wherein the second processor controlsthe positioning processor, and the second processor stores thepositioning data received from the positioning processor, and the secondprocessor transfers the stored positioning data to the first processorat a timing determined in accordance with an operating condition of thefirst processor.
 2. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein, the first processor switches between an operationalmode and a dormant mode, and the second processor stores the positioningdata while the first processor is in the dormant mode and transfers thestored positioning data to the first processor after the first processorenters the operational mode.
 3. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein, the first processor in the dormant modetemporarily enters the operational mode at a predetermined maintenanceoperation interval and carries out predetermined processing, and thesecond processor transfers the positioning data while the firstprocessor is in the operational mode.
 4. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein,the second processor transfers the positioning data to the firstprocessor at a first time interval while the display displays imagesunder the control of the first processor, and the second processortransfers the positioning data to the first processor at a second timeinterval longer than the first time interval while the display displaysno images under the control of the first processor.
 5. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, the first processorswitches between the operational mode and the dormant mode, and thedisplay displays no images while the first processor is in the dormantmode.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a map-information memory storing map data, whereinthe first processor generates image data for displaying a map includingat least a recent position determined based on the positioning data andat least the recent position to be displayed on the map, in reference tothe positioning data and the map data.
 7. The information processingapparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a display, whereinthe first processor causes the map including at least the recentposition to appear on the display, based on the image data generated fordisplay.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,wherein, the first processor causes the map and a mark indicating therecent position at a fixed position to appear on the display.
 9. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, thefirst processor causes at least the recent position to appear ordisappear overlapped on the map being displayed.
 10. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising ameasuring unit measuring a kinetic state of the information processingapparatus, wherein the second processor varies the second time intervalbased on results measured by the measuring unit.
 11. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a firstclock counting time; and a second clock counting time with a precisionlower than the precision of the first clock, wherein, the positioningprocessor acquires information on time having a precision higher thanthe precision of information on time acquired by the second clock usingthe radio waves received from the positioning satellites, and the secondprocessor acquires temporal information from the positioning processorand corrects the time of the second clock with the temporal information.12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein,the first clock is disposed in the first processor, and the second clockis disposed in the second processor.
 13. A method of processinginformation carried out at an information processing apparatuscomprising a first processor, a second processor consuming a reducedamount of power compared to the first processor during an operation, anda positioning processor receiving radio waves from positioningsatellites and converting the radio waves into positioning data, whereinthe positioning processor operates under the control of the secondprocessor, the method carried out by the second processor, comprising:controlling the positioning processor; and storing the positioning datareceived from the positioning processor; and transferring the storedpositioning data to the first processor at a timing determined inaccordance with an operating condition of the first processor.
 14. Themethod of processing information according to claim 13, furthercomprising: storing the positioning data by the second processor whilethe first processor is in a dormant mode; and transferring the storedpositioning data to the first processor by the second processor afterthe first processor enters an operational mode, wherein the firstprocessor switches between the operational mode and the dormant mode.15. The method of processing information according to claim 14, furthercomprising: carrying out predetermined processing by the first processorafter the first processor in the dormant mode temporarily enters theoperational mode at a predetermined maintenance operation interval; andtransferring the positioning data by the second processor while thefirst processor is in the operational mode.
 16. The method of processinginformation according to claim 13, further comprising: transferring thepositioning data to the first processor by the second processor at afirst time interval while a display displays images under the control ofthe first processor; and transferring the positioning data to the firstprocessor by the second processor at a second time interval longer thanthe first time interval while the display displays no images under thecontrol of the first processor, wherein the information processingapparatus comprises the display.
 17. The method of processinginformation according to claim 13, further comprising: acquiringtemporal information from the positioning processor by the secondprocessor; and correcting the time of a second clock with the acquiredtemporal information, wherein, the information processing apparatuscomprises a first clock counting time, and the second clock countingtime at a precision lower than the precision of the first clock, and thepositioning processor acquires information on time having a precisionhigher than the precision of information on time acquired by the secondclock using the radio waves received from the positioning satellites.18. The method of processing information according to claim 17, wherein,the first clock is disposed in the first processor, and the second clockis disposed in the second processor.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing a program that causes a secondprocessor of an information processing apparatus to execute: controllinga positioning processor; and storing the positioning data received fromthe positioning processor; and transferring the stored positioning datato a first processor at a timing determined in accordance with anoperating condition of the first processor, wherein the informationprocessing apparatus includes the first processor, the second processorconsuming a reduced amount of power compared to the first processorduring operation, and the positioning processor receiving radio wavesfrom positioning satellites and converting the radio waves intopositioning data.